Livingston & Haven has been in business for 60 years. During that time, the world around L&H, including the technology, has changed dramatically. As a result, Livingston & Haven has changed with it. Throughout these periodic changes L&H has always managed to focus its interests and abilities in helping U.S. Manufacturer’s improve their business.

The company as it exists today started in 1947 when Malcolm D. Haven came to Charleston, South Carolina and bought the controlling interest of a firm which dealt in petroleum handling equipment. In 1953, A.C. Flint joined the company which had just started to specialize in the sale and service of pneumatic and hydraulic devices. From that year forward the growth in sales, personnel and territory has been continuous. Mr. Flint was elected President of the corporation and Mr. Haven Chairman of the Board in 1966. Sales today are some sixty times greater than those of the first profitable year. The company now has nearly 200 employees in nine offices, in six states (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia).

The most important asset of any organization are those who manage and work in it. Livingston & Haven gives high priority to acquiring personnel capable of handling their immediate responsibilities, but with qualities necessary for advancement. The company has retained the services of a well-known organization of industry focused specialists and all personnel in areas of decision and sales are tested previous to employment or before transferal into a sensitive post where leadership characteristics are a prerequisite. Management is continually alert to better methods of operation in all departments of the business and has the most modern Oracle system for supporting our customers.

Over time L&H developed partnerships that would positively affect the company for years to come. L&H became a distributor for Parker, Versa and Humphrey and is still representing their products 50 years later. In 1966, Clif Vann, III decided to leave a long term, good paying engineering position at West Virginia Pulp & Paper Co. to accept a position with Livingston & Haven.

Another big event in L&H’s history occurred in 1972 when L&H decided to take on Rexroth in Georgia. In 1976, L&H personnel traveled to Germany to learn more about the Rexroth company. At that time, Rexroth was not a large manufacturer in the United States and it was risky for businesses to align with a foreign company. Today, Rexroth is known as Bosch Rexroth and is the world leader in motion control and Livingston & Haven is featured as the premiere Bosch Rexroth distributor in the Southeast. Then in 1973, L&H moved its corporate office from Charleston to Charlotte, North Carolina and has been located in Charlotte ever since. Clif Vann, III relocated with the company and became Executive Vice President.

In the early 1980’s, L&H signed on Mitsubishi Electric, a move that would again advance the company into a new era. Mitsubishi was in the forefront of the PLC revolution, which drastically changed the industry worldwide. During the same time frame, Clif Vann, III became the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

The millennium brought about some profound changes for Livingston & Haven. The first was announcing Clifton Vann, IV as L&H’s new President. L&H also brought on board Bruce Mckay, V.P. of Marketing and Sales. As a result, the company moved into a new direction, divesting themselves of unrelated businesses to concentrate solely on motion control. L&H began an aggressive campaign to expand its interests by reorganizing its connectors strategy and expanding the relationship with Bosch Rexroth. L&H was also honored with numerous awards for their advancement in e-Commerce.

The last few years have been filled with several strategic acquisitions. First, L&H purchased ANDEK in 2002 and later SDI in 2004. These decisions have extended L&H’s capabilities in lube services and separated them as a clear technology leader in automatic lubrication systems. Then in 2004, L&H greatly expanded its automation division. This move enabled L&H to bring advanced PC, supervisory and remote diagnostic capabilities to its customers in all markets.

Today Livingston & Haven is entering its 60^th year in business. Throughout the company’s history, L&H has managed to consistently drive productivity enhancements for its customers. Through strategic alliances, capable associates and dedication to its customers, L&H has become and will continue to be the leading industrial technology provider in the Southeast.